A critically injured coyote pup is receiving intensive emergency treatment after a suspected vehicle strike in Cape Coral. When the roughly 7-week-old dehydrated coyote was brought to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, Dr. Jessica Comolli, MS, CWR, Dipl. ACZM, CROW’s Research & Medical Director, and Dr. Kaitlyn Crocker, CROW’s Veterinary Intern, determined she had a fractured right front leg. Then came assessing the pup’s head trauma.
“She had no obvious external head injuries, but she was in shock and showed signs consistent with neurological trauma,” says Comolli. “We immediately began treatment for a suspected brain injury and placed her under close observation. We’re encouraged to share that she is making steady progress. She has a long road to recovery ahead of her, but she has a team of dedicated wildlife professionals and an entire community rallying behind her.”
The pup remains under intensive veterinary care, receiving medications and around-the-clock close monitoring. “At this stage, we are considering surgical correction of the fractures in her front leg,” says Comolli. More than $3,100 was raised on Facebook as of Wednesday to use toward the coyote’s care. Donations can be made here.
CROW has veterinary partners at which anyone can drop off injured wildlife at no cost. From there, CROW volunteers pick up the animals and bring them to the clinic. On Friday, a Cape Coral police officer brought the injured pup from Pine Island Road to VEG ER for Pets in Fort Myers.
“We are grateful for our community partners like VEG and CROW and are so glad this young coyote is getting the care she needs,” says Lisa Greenberg, Public Affairs Officer at the Cape Coral Police Department.
CROW has received or treated 28 coyotes since 2022. Last year, CROW saw a total of 5,046 wildlife patients. For more information, visit www.crowclinic.org.
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